M&M Photo Tours, Inc. lead a photo safari to Botswana in July 2018. Depending on who you ask Botswana is either #1 or #2 for wildlife safaris in Africa. We can tell you that Botswana did not disappoint and remains in solid medal position for M&M and our guests.
The camera/lens gear I used for the trip was 3 Canon bodies – 5D Mark IV, 5D Mark III, & 7D Mark II and they were paired with the following glass – Sigma 150-600 C, Canon 100-400L II, Canon 70-200L II, or Canon 24-105L. I also used a Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II for some video and stills.
Fish Eagle w/ Canon 7D Mark II, f/8, ISO 640, 1/2500 @ 200mm
This amazing Fish Eagle was one of many that we enjoyed photographing while along the Chobe River.
Elephant w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1600, 1/1600 @ 267mm
And elephants along and in the Chobe River never disappoint. We had great luck several different times with elephants playing in the water.
Elephants w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1250, 1/1250 @ 172mm
The Chobe has so much life in and around it one could spend years and still not get every possible image presented. We spend 4 days on and near the river so we capture as much as possible. Like hippos, giraffe, birds, elephants, crocs, and much more…
Hippo running into Chobe River w/ Canon 7D Mark II, f/8, ISO 640, 1/1600, @ 200mm
Giraffe getting a drink w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1600, 1/1250, @ 221mm
There is all sorts of bird life along the river – Kingfishers, Lilac-Breasted Rollers, Herons, Fish Eagles and so many more.
Croc w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1600, 1/400, @ 600mm
We also spent time in Khwai area which is part of the larger Moremi Reserve. The raw beauty of the setting coupled with the excellent guides and the great hosts at camp made for a memorable trip. Of course, the photography was amazing and the subjects endless.
Hippo water toss w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 2000, 1/800, @ 374mm
Hippo yawn tight crop w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1600, 1/640, @ 403mm
Plenty of gazelles around the water made for some fun imagery.
One of the big draws to Botswana is the chance to see Wild/Painted Dogs. They are so beautiful, playful, fun to photograph, and amazing to watch on the hunt.
Botswana probably has more elephants than any other country in Africa and they are everywhere doing everything you expect an elephant to do. They make for sure great subjects and their young are just adorable.
Lions are always a safari highlight – Botswana has plenty and seeing lions in or near water with their young (tickler alert) is always a plus.
Botswana is a birders paradise. So many beautiful colors, species, settings, and sizes to photograph. We had great luck with birds the entire trip.
M&M’s 2019 Botswana photo tour is full but we have dates in 2020 and 2021 on the books so if Botswana is a destination you have been wanting to photograph – start saving now and join us for an awesome safari to Botswana!
